Tues. AM-PM Seeds of Wisdom Crypto Update(s) 3-11-25

(Note: If you’re looking for more news regarding cryptocurrency, please visit our website Bitcoin Commando. All crypto news will be posted there. ~ Dinar Chronicles)

Seeds of Wisdom

RETROACTIVE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS BEGIN, WHEN TO EXPECT THEM?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made remarkable progress in distributing retroactive payments to those impacted by the Social Security Fairness Act.

This pivotal legislation, passed at the end of 2024, repeals two controversial provisions—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions had long been criticized for reducing or eliminating benefits for certain public sector workers, including firefighters, police officers, and teachers.

According to the SSA, over $7.5 billion has already been distributed to more than 1.1 million eligible beneficiaries.

The average retroactive payment stands at $6,710, compensating for benefits that would have been issued in 2024 had the law been enacted earlier. Initially, the agency estimated that processing these increased monthly payments and retroactive sums could take over a year. However, recent updates suggest that the majority of cases have been expedited.

Who will receive these payments and when? The SSA is actively adjusting the monthly benefits for affected recipients, with updated payments expected to be reflected in the April 2025 disbursement. Those who have not yet received their retroactive payment are advised to wait until April before contacting the SSA for further inquiries.

To determine eligibility for increased benefits, the SSA will be sending official notices by mail to affected individuals in the coming weeks. It is estimated that up to 3.2 million Americans will benefit from the changes introduced by the Social Security Fairness Act. However, some individuals may need to take action to ensure they receive their due benefits.

Individuals who are unsure whether they previously applied for retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits, or those who never applied due to WEP or GPO restrictions, should consider taking action. The SSA recommends submitting an application online or by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (Monday–Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM ET). When prompted, say “Fairness Act” to be connected with a trained representative.

How much will monthly payments increase? A September 2024 estimate by the Congressional Budget Office projected significant increases. Social Security beneficiaries previously impacted by the WEP will see an average increase of $360 per month. Those affected by the GPO could receive between $700 and $1,190 extra per month.

These adjustments represent a historic shift for millions of retired public sector employees, ensuring they receive the benefits they were previously denied. This change marks a new era of fairness and equity in the distribution of Social Security benefits.

For further details, beneficiaries should refer to their official SSA notices or check the agency’s website for updates. The SSA is committed to ensuring that all eligible individuals receive the benefits they deserve under the new legislation.

@ Newshounds News™

Source: MSN

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TRUMP SET TO SIGN EXECUTIVE ORDER REVERSING BIDEN’S CRYPTO BANKING RESTRICTIONS

President Donald Trump is all set to sign an executive order targeting Biden administration policies that have made it hard for crypto companies to access banking services. The order is expected to target policies under “Operation Chokepoint 2.0,” which seeks to roll back these restrictions and support the crypto industry.

Bo Hines, Executive Director of the White House’s Presidential Working Group on Digital Assets, confirmed that administrative action is coming but didn’t provide details. He mentioned that the industry can expect something soon.

Hines also emphasized that the T******************n aims to end practices linked to “Operation Chokepoint 2.0,” a term coined by Nic Carter, which refers to efforts similar to the O***a-era Operation Choke Point that targeted payday lenders and gun dealers.

Trump’s Executive Order Could Open Fed Access to Crypto Banks

While details of Trump’s executive order are still being finalized, it could impact Federal Reserve policies on master accounts. These accounts, held by federally chartered banks, are essential for making direct payments and accessing the Fed’s services. Under the Biden administration, the Fed denied master accounts to crypto-focused banks like Custodia, hindering their growth.

Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett remarked that this is significant because the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have not yet reversed any anti-crypto policies, even though Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell mentioned last month that he was concerned by the increasing number of crypto debanking cases and that the Fed would “take a fresh look” at the issue.

T******************n Pushes Forward Despite Challenges

While the Federal Reserve operates independently from the White House, the T******************n is pushing forward with its crypto order, despite potential legal hurdles. Sources note that senior White House officials are set to meet Thursday to assess possible challenges before putting the order on Trump’s desk.

However, a White House official denied any such meeting is scheduled but confirmed that efforts to roll back Operation Chokepoint 2.0 are already in motion. The race to reshape crypto policy is heating up, and all eyes are on what comes next.

Directive on Stablecoins?

The upcoming executive order could extend beyond banking, and might include a directive stating that stablecoins, which are designed to maintain a stable value and are typically pegged to the U.S. dollar, should not be classified as securities.

If Trump signs this order, it would be his third crypto-related executive action since returning to office. The first, signed on January 23, created a Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets. The second, signed last week, ordered the establishment of a U.S. government Bitcoin reserve and a separate stockpile for other digital assets.

Bitcoin Dips Despite The Developments

Trump’s recent Crypto Summit disappointed industry leaders, with his Bitcoin reserve plan failing to boost the market as the administration plans to use seized assets. Broader economic policies, including tariffs on China and others, have also shaken markets. As a result, institutional investors pulled funds from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, causing Bitcoin to fall below $80,000 for the first time in 4 months and Ethereum to drop to $1,870.

@ Newshounds News™

Source: Coinpediia and Twitter

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THAILAND’S SEC JUST APPROVED USDT & USDC, ALONGSIDE BITCOIN & ETHEREUM AS APPROVED TOKENS!

▪ Thailand’s SEC approves USDT and USDC for trading on licensed crypto exchanges.

▪ Stablecoins join Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Stellar in Thailand’s approved crypto list.
▪ New rules effective March 16 boost crypto trading and adoption in Thailand.
▪ Tether faces transparency scrutiny despite $142 billion market cap and growing demand.

Thailand’s financial regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has expanded its list of approved cryptocurrencies. The country has now allowed the use of Tether (USDT) and Circle’s USD Coin (USDC) on licensed digital asset exchanges. This decision follows a growing demand for stablecoins in crypto trading and payments worldwide.

Thailand Regulator Adds USDC, USDT Stablecoins

With this approval, Thailand opens its doors to stablecoins, a crucial part of the global crypto market. Stablecoins like USDT and USDC are widely used for trading, payments, and remittances due to their price stability.

By adding USDT and USDC to its list of approved cryptocurrencies, alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Stellar, Thailand is expanding its digital asset ecosystem. This move not only enhances trading opportunities but also strengthens Thailand’s position as a growing hub for crypto adoption in Asia.

The new regulations, set to take effect on March 16, will allow licensed exchanges to list and trade these stablecoins, making it easier for investors and traders to move funds within the crypto ecosystem.

Thailand Aligns with Global Crypto Trends

The decision to approve USDT and USDC comes after a public consultation held in February, where most participants supported the idea. Across regions like Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, stablecoins have gained popularity due to their reliability and ease of use in transactions.

Tether alone contributes to around 40% of the total trading activity in the country. As of now, USDT holds a massive $142 billion market capitalization, while USDC follows with $58 billion.

Push for Transparency

The approval of Tether’s stablecoin comes at a time when the company is facing scrutiny over its financial transparency. Just last week, the company appointed Simon McWilliams as its Chief Financial Officer to address concerns regarding its financial audits.

The company has been publishing quarterly reports verified by BDO Italy, but some critics argue that a full financial audit is needed. Following the 2022 market crash, the crypto industry has pushed for more transparency.

@ Newshounds News™

Source: Coinpedia

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Source: Dinar Recaps

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CIRCLE TRIMS USDC CROSS-CHAIN SETTLEMENT TIME DOWN TO SECONDS WITH PROTOCOL UPDATE

▪ Circle, issuer of the world’s second-largest stablecoin USDC, has launched a protocol update it says reduces cross-chain transaction settlement time “to seconds,” compared to an average of 13 to 19 minutes for a typical blockchain transaction between Ethereum and Layer 2 blockchains.

▪ According to Circle, the newly launched Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol V2, or CCTP V2, improves upon the earlier version “with a new set of smart contracts and APIs.”

Circle, issuer of the world’s second-largest stablecoin USDC, unveiled a protocol update on Tuesday it says will reduce cross-chain settlement time from several minutes to a matter of seconds.

The company’s newly launched Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol V2, or CCTP V2, will improve upon CCTP V1 “with a new set of smart contracts and APIs,” slashing cross-chain transaction settlement time from “an average of 13 to 19 minutes for a typical blockchain transaction” between Ethereum and Layer 2 blockchains to only seconds, according to a statement.

“CCTP V2 reduces the barriers that have hindered the fluid movement of digital dollars between supported blockchains,” said Nikhil Chandhok, chief product officer of Circle, in the statement.

“CCTP V2 gives developers greater flexibility to tailor cross-chain transactions to their specific needs and unlocks low-latency use cases in crypto capital markets, effectively abstracting away cross-chain complexities for developers and their users.”

As the USD-pegged stablecoin market, by most accounts, is poised to keep growing, improving transaction time could prove beneficial to Circle as competition potentially heats up in the coming months and years.

Out of the roughly $235 billion worth of USD stablecoins in circulation, Circle’s USDC accounts for $58 billion, according to The Block Data Dashboard. USDC ranks a distant second to Tether’s USDT, the clear market leader.

Avalanche, Base and Ethereum to begin with

Circle said CCTP V2 will initially be available for developers working on Avalanche, Base and Ethereum, but the plan is to add support for more blockchains as the year progresses. “CCTP V1 will remain available on 11 blockchains,” Circle said, adding that since launched in 2023, “CCTP has facilitated more than $36 billion in transaction volume.“

Some of CCTP V2’s new features Circle highlighted on Tuesday include “Hooks,” which it said makes it possible for developers “to automate post-transfer actions on the destination blockchain.”

@ Newshounds News™

Source: The Block

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BRICS: RUSSIA & IRAN ANNOUNCE NEW DEAL TO BOOST TRADE

Amid the ongoing tension between the US and BRICS, both Russia and Iran have announced a new deal to boost trade and cooperation. Indeed, both sides are expecting a surge in their partnership as things look increasingly uncertain for the alliance moving forward.

Throughout the year so far, the bloc has faced aggressive economic policy from the United States. Since being inaugurated, Donald Trump has not minced words regarding his feelings for the group. However, that has not seen the collective slow its ambitious growth efforts.

Russia & Iran Sign New Trade Deal as BRICS Faces Increased US Pressure

The last two years have seen the BRICS economic alliance embrace a massive growth effort. Indeed, they are continuing, with the alliance eyeing continued expansion in 2025. Moreover, it has held firm in its commitment to de-dollarization despite increased pressure from the United States.

Those efforts to fortify their alliance have continued for BRICS Monday as Russia and Iran have signed a new trade deal. According to a new report, both sides are expecting the increased cooperation to result in a “trade surge,” with cultural expansion to soon follow.

“Trade between Russia and Iran is generally demonstrating positive dynamics,” Ambassador Aleksley Dedov said. “We expect further growth in trade turnover at the end of this year,” he added. Indeed, they project a 15% increase in trade dealings over 2024. Moreover, a key emphasis on the increased trade is the decision for both sides to settle in local currencies.

That decision is yet another blow to the US dollar. President Donald Trump has not been kind to any de-dollarization efforts present globally. He has previously warned of 150% tariffs on nations that engage in the practice. It will be interesting to see if Russia and Iran are now subject to those threats.

@ Newshounds News™

Source: Watcher Guru and TehranTimes

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Source: Dinar Recaps

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